QV Hall of Fame Announces 2012 Inductees

has announced the inductees for the Class of 2012 after reviving the program this year following a nine-year absence.

Inductees represent four decades — the 1950s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s — with members representing one team, the 1972 basketball team; two coaches, Joseph Dobrick and Jerry Veshio; and four athletes — Bill Sadd, ’58; Tom Szuba, ’85; Ben McKnight, ’92; and Andrew Wormsley, ’97.

“We are really excited about this group of inductees,” said Mike Mastroianni, athletic director. “Not only do they represent different eras, their credentials are unbelievably impressive.  Our athletic department and our school district are very fortunate to have had such distinguished contributors.”   

Class of 2012 members will be inducted into the Quaker Valley Sports Hall of Fame on Sunday, Sept. 30 at a brunch and awards ceremony at . This will be the featured event of the QV Sports Hall of Fame weekend celebration, which begins with recognition at the football game on Friday, Sept. 28. The Hall of Fame committee is encouraging all former Quaker Valley athletes and supporters to attend the weekend festivities. 

Inductee Highlights:

The 1972 basketball team — The team was the first at to win an outright section basketball title in school history. The team finished 22-3 and was led by QV Hall of Famer Keith Starr, who later went on to star at Pitt and play in the NBA. QV advanced to the WPIAL semi-finals and the PIAA quarter-finals, only to be defeated by the eventual WPIAL and state champion, Monaca. The team was coached by Hall of Famer Vince Cortese and assisted by Hall of Famer Kenny Johns.

Coach Joseph Dobrick — Coach Dobrick was the first football coach in .  Joe had the daunting task of combining two squads after the merger of and  high schools. The results were impressive as he led QV to one of their best seasons ever in 1956.

Jerry Veshio — Very few people have served Quaker Valley in so many capacities as coach Jerry Veshio, ’70.  Coach Veshio first contributed as an athlete, lettering in football and track. He then became the head coach of both of those sports. In 1997, until his retirement, he became QV’s athletic director, as well as the head boys’ and girls’ track coach.  His impressive credentials include, 11 section titles and seven WPIAL championships.

Bill Sadd — Sadd, ‘58 is a former football and track standout from Quaker Valley’s second graduating class ever, the Class of 1958. He also lettered in both sports at Sewickley High. Sadd was a starter at guard and linebacker and was named all-conference his senior year. He later went on to Dartmouth where he was a three-year letterman in track.

Tom Szuba — Szuba, ’85, excelled in football and baseball for four years. He led the baseball team to QV’s only WPIAL championship his junior year. As a QV football player, he earned all-conference honors his junior and senior years and an honorable mention all-state his senior year. Szuba then went on to play football at Yale, lettering three seasons and was the team’s leading receiver his junior year.

Ben McKnight — McKnight, ’92, is one of the most decorated players ever in Quaker Valley’s rich soccer history. He excelled from QV to college to the pros. He was the co-captain, leading scorer and team MVP of the 1991 State Championship team.  McKnight attended Georgetown University where he became the program’s all-time leading scorer and a two-time All-Big East selection, as well as regional all-American.

Andrew Wormsley — Wormsley, ’97, finished his career as one of the top basketball players in Quaker Valley history.  He scored more than 1,200 points and earned all-WPIAL and all-State honors. As captain of the 1997 squad Wormsley led QV to the only WPIAL championship in school history.  He then went on to become one of the top players ever at Westminster College scoring more than 1,400 points and played more than 10 years professionally in Europe.

The Quaker Valley Sports Hall of Fame will publish full biographies and records of each inductee throughout the summer.  Watch for more updates and information regarding the weekend festivities. Tickets to attend the Hall of Fame induction banquet will go on sale in early August.  

For more information or for anyone interesting in contributing to the Hall of Fame and the weekend events, contact Gene Klein at kleing@qvsd.org.

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